An absolutely delightful follow-up to the first book that expands the world and characters in a super satisfying way. I loved being reunited with Emily and Wendell and getting to explore a new part of the Faerie world with them. Fawcett does an excellent job of expanding her worldbuilding without it ever becoming an overwhelming lore dump or confusingly riddled with holes. It has a wonderful internal logic that expands with Emily's every discovery. I am usually not the biggest fan of romance in my fantasy, but Emily and Wendell are such an exception - they fit together delightfully and I really appreciate that we get to see strengths and weaknesses from both of them. I will be eagerly awaiting a third book and the continuation of their adventures!

🧚🏻Review: I loved this book! It was so much fun to follow Emily and Bambleby on another adventure. This time the stakes felt a little higher which I also appreciated. And poe made a little cameo which was adorable. I loved the writing and although I liked the first book a little more I definitely want to continue this series. I recommend this series if you like faeries, flowery writing, and found family!

🧚🏻Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

This was a delightful follow-up to the first Emily Wilde book. The Map of the Otherlands jumps into the action much more quickly, and I think readers who were iffy on the first book will enjoy this installment more. Emily continues to grow as a character— this isn’t just another installment in a “monster of the week” type of series, and Fawcett’s writing felt much tighter. Looking forward to the next book!

Emily Wilde's Encyclopaedia of Faeries was a fun historical fantasy look at the more academic side of classic faerie lore. It feels like an adult version of the Spiderwick Chronicles, which was one of my favorite series as a child, so I love that vibe. I enjoyed it but it was also middle-of-the-road for me. I was really hoping Emily Wilde's Map of the Otherlands would help me fall even more in love with the story as I liked the characters and the setting, but sadly this novel followed the same pattern as the first book for me: fun but forgettable. I know many people love this series, and I so want to be one of them, but something about it is just holding me back. I will continue reading the series as the rest of the books come out, but this isn't a standout series for me, sadly.

Thank you NetGalley & Penguin Random House for the arc of this book (even though I’m reviewing it way after its pub date)!!! While I did enjoy diving back into the journal of Emily Wilde and reading about her adventures, I did not like this one as much as the first one. I loved seeing Wendell and Emily interact more and Emily’s growth in coming to appreciate her niece. Poe & Snowbell are my favorite characters and I found myself laughing every time they made an appearance. However, this felt a lot slower to me and I struggled through some slower parts. I also went into it expecting them to spend more time in Faerie based on the title. I feel as if the map book was not brought up very often, and I still don’t have a clear idea about what it is. Finally, at times I was a little frustrated with Emily BUT overall I love seeing a badass FMC with a man who knows she can accomplish anything she sets her mind to. I’m excited to read Emily & Wendell’s next adventure!!

Thank you to netgalley and to the publisher! This was such a fun cozy addition to this fantasy series. In Emily's quest to map the Otherlands, Emily, Wendell and Shadow set on a new adventure! Emily attempts to discover the door to Wendell's realm alongside navigating her personal relationships. This book absolutely did not let me down, it was the balance of cozy with darker faerie elements, and of course romance!

I adored this sequel to one of my favorite historical fantasy novels of 2023! (finished reading via purchased audiobook copy) Fawcett continues to impress with Emily's dry wit and academic style.

This was exactly what I was waiting for and needed for the follow up to Emily Wilde. I sat and read this in one go. I enjoy the authors style and how she can keep my attention. I love the characters and feeling swept away to another world. Will and have hand sold this to many customers.

The writing style is too dry for me. I could not finish the book, unfortunately. I could get through the first book, but some how I couldn't crack the sequel as easily. The plot seemed very pointless. Maybe I will try to pick this up again later.

I absolutely loved the book one, and I could not wait to get to book two. I adored this just as much as the first one. I love this world, the characters, magic, and faeries so much. This is such a cozy, comfy, and easy world to get lost in. I think this is such a breath of fresh air in the Fantasy genre, and I love how popular this series is getting. Can't wait for book three!

This was the PERFECT continuation of Emily and Wendell’s story. I loved to see them and their relationship grow and to finally see Wendell’s kingdom. Emily’s time there- the nexus of the story, if you will- was exhilarating to read, I feel like the journal entry writing style suited this book even more than it did in Encyclopaedia. I’m already so excited for the next book! This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine.

With a new backdrop, we follow Emily, Wendell, Shadow, and two new side kicks on a more personal quest than before, that pushes Emily to explore the unforgiving and elusive world of the fae once more. Relationship dynamics between each of the characters are tested. Secrets are unraveled and feelings are explored, especially between Emily and Wendell. With higher stakes, dangerous fae/creatures, mysterious vibes, and an all-around darker atmosphere, you are pulled into an enchanting world full of vicious fae, historical fae folklore, light academia, a slow-burn romance full of witty banter, and a journey full of wild twists and turns. I really enjoyed this book, especially on cold, rainy days, tucked in a warm blanket, with a steaming hot coffee, soaking up all those moody vibes. My only issue is that I liked the town and all those eccentric characters from the first book over the only characters being just the main four. I feel like it added more fun and intrigue to the story. I can't stress how much I love the academic journal format! It makes me feel smart. Can’t wait for book 3, and to finish up the trilogy!

Thank you, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Heather Fawcett for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

A worthy second book! I enjoyed being back in the world again and will definitely read the third book. Whimsical and cozy but still has adventure.

Author Heather Fawcett is bringing the faerie world back to us grownups! Such a fun read, love the female lead and faerie world.


Thank you NetGalley for providing us with this title!

On her quest to map the otherlands, Emily is again thrust into a dangerous adventure with Bambleby to find a back door to his kingdom. But with Emily having to learn who is friend, who is foe, and how to open fairy kingdoms, she also has to learn how to navigate her feelings for Bambleby.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 4/5
Spice: 🌶️1/5

Tropes:
Magical Quest
Reluctant Royalty
Academic Rivals

Triggers:
Manipulation
Trickery

My thoughts:
I really enjoy this series but the pacing of this book felt off. Emily and Bambleby and such loveable characters and you are rooting for them the entire time, but I struggled to stay engaged with the story. This series would make the loveliest television show and I will definitely read more by this author.

This was such a fun and nerdy fantasy - historical fantasy even? Love the way the story dove deep into fairy lore while also exploring the various adventures that arose along the way. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the free advance copy.

Sucked me right in from page 1. I loved the pacing, descriptions of the Folk, and the writing was so good. It did feel as though the conflict was a little too easily achieved, too glossed over by a fuzzy memory (which I understand) but still, I wanted a little more. That’s really my only criticism.

So i had a much better experience reading this book then the first book! I think listening to thi bnook def gave me veronica spedwell vibes but with a more magic twist. I still hink this nook was very low pace but did like the new character added to this book a lot more thne book one and will prob re-read them before book 3 comes out!

4 stars.

So this is book 2 and it is set in 1910 and follows Emily Wilde who is focusing on making a map that will track the connections between the Fae world and ours. I really enjoyed the first book this one was really good too. I liked that there was a look at her relationship with Wendell and we delved more into that as well as seeing more of the people in their lives. I love that we still get the journal format as well as the little footnotes. It was just a good time honestly.

Thank you Del Rey and Netgalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and the publishers for allowing me the opportunity to read this e-arc.

I don't know what happened to me, but I didn't particularly care for this book. I loved the first one, but the second one fell flat for me.